Scripture: Matthew 10:16-42

I. The divisiveness of Jesus leads to opposition from the world.

A. “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master” (vs. 24) The world will treat you as a follower of Jesus in the same way they treated Jesus. And Jesus was crucified! “I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves” (vs. 16). A sheep in the midst of wolves is not safe. So, we should be wise as serpents, and innocent as doves. We should avoid attacks from the world where possible. We should be wise and realistic in dealing with opposition. At the same time, however, we should not become paranoid and fearful of talking about Jesus.

II. The divisiveness of Jesus extends to families.

A. Jesus speaks about how he divides families in vs. 21: “Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death.” Jesus made it clear that peace was not His mission. He came to bring a sword, not peace (vs. 34). Jesus was using the sword as a picture of an instrument that divides. Jesus would cut families apart. Some will believe in Jesus, and some will not. Jesus’ mission is in Matthew 1:21: “You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

III. The divisiveness of Jesus is not to be feared.

A. Three times in Matthew 10 Jesus tells His disciples not to be afraid (vs. 26, 28, 31). Why don’t we have to be afraid? 1) Persecution for the church is expected, not surprising. 2) Jesus will help you when you are opposed (vs. 19-20). 3) The truth about Jesus and about you will eventually come out (vs. 26-27). 4) The wrath of God is more to be feared than the wrath of people (vs. 28). 5) God is watching over every detail of your life (vs. 29-31). Nothing can happen to you outside of God’s permission.

IV. The divisiveness of Jesus is to be kept in perspective.

A. Yes, the world will hate you because you love Jesus (vs. 22). True. But it is also true that the need of the world will always exceed the persecution. This is why Jesus says in vs. 23, “When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next.” There is always someone else to speak to about Jesus. Our faithfulness in our mission is bound up with heaven and hell (32-33). Christians must witness about Jesus. And simply identifying yourself with Christian evangelists and missionaries means you will share in the rewards of those missionaries and evangelists (vs. 41-42).

Application:
Don’t be afraid. Tell others about who Jesus is and what He has done for you.

Sources:
The Bible
Commentaries by D.A. Carson, J.C. Ryle, and Charles Quarles. 

Sermon Discussion Questions

1) What does Jesus tell us to expect as His witnesses? How can we be both shrewd as snakes and innocent as doves in our witness in the world?
2) Why does Jesus divide families? How can family structures and beliefs make it difficult for Christian converts?
3) Why don’t we have to be afraid of opposition to Jesus and to us? What can give us the courage to keep on being a witness?